Mevo expands fleet

Electric car sharing company Mevo is setting up its latest pick-up zone at Wellington’s Queens Wharf.

As a result, the company has added three Audi A3 e-trons bringing its network to six, with the aim of having more than 50 EVs on the road by the end of the year.

The expansion signals the beginning of a period of rapid growth for the company thanks to funds secured through the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund managed by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

“The launch of this pod is a direct result of the tremendous interest we’ve experienced since our launch,” says Erik Zydervelt, Mevo chief executive.

“This is the first of many pods which we’ll be bringing online across Wellington in the coming months, as we work to keep pace with demand”

The pod’s location, adjacent to the New Zealand Portrait Gallery on Queens Wharf, was selected by aggregating customer votes via Mevo’s location request tool and in conjunction with their renewable energy partner Meridian Energy.

“We’re excited to see the launch of a Mevo pod next door to Meridian,” says Meridian’s procurement manager, Nick Robilliard.

“For businesses, using a plug-in hybrid car share service such as Mevo is a great alternative to hiring a car or maintaining a permanent fleet vehicle. “

Mevo’s expansion will continue in the coming months, with plans to add additional Mevo vehicles across the Parliament precinct, Bolton Street, Ballance Street, Willeston Street, Victoria Street, Elizabeth Street, opposite Te Papa Tongarewa and others to be confirmed before the end of the calendar year.

These additional locations across the heart of Wellington will utilise existing on-street parking owned by Wellington City Council, subject to proposed changes to the council’s traffic management policies.

The proposed changes include the reservation of 37 parking bays for EV charging and car sharing.

“With 21 of these parking bays going to Mevo, it goes without saying that we support their success,” councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman, portfolio lead for transport strategy and operations.

“Mevo is proposing to put down ten times as many on-street car sharing vehicles as we currently have in Wellington – providing a key opportunity for the council to understand the car sharing market.”